Participation of Adults with Mental Retardation in a Video- and Leader-Directed Aerobic Dance Program

Abstract

The purpose was to compare two conditions (leader-plus-video, video-only) that involved different levels of support on facilitating engagement in moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) in adults with mental retardation (MR). Engagement was examined during 10-min aerobic dance sessions conducted 3 days per week over a 10-week experimental period followed by a 4-week maintenance period. The experimental design was single subject reversal (B-A-B-A). Participants were 17 adults (mean age = 42.6 years) with MR (5 females, 12 males) employed at a sheltered workshop. Visual analysis of graphed data revealed no meaningful difference between leader-plus-video and video-only conditions on MVPA engagement. Over 75% of the participants chose to attend each session over the 10-week experiment. Approximately 60% chose to attend during the 4-week maintenance period. Persons who attended, however, did not necessarily engage in MVPA.

Interventions to promote physical activity for adults with intellectual disabilities

“…The modicum of evidence that does exist demonstrates that short-and medium-term improvements in physical activity levels are possible. The evidence to date demonstrates that a targeted intervention in the workplace can improve physical activity levels in that discrete context, 18 but to achieve a more pervasive increase in physical activity among adults with intellectual disabilities a 'multipronged' and sustained approach is needed.…”

“…Contrastingly, the worksite intervention by Stanish and colleagues 18 was designed to increase physical activity while at work. The only study delivered in people's homes was the Swedish study by Bergström and others.…”

“…Four studies used motion sensors (accelerometers and pedometers), which are the preferred approach to measuring physical activity among individuals with intellectual disability, 4 since there is only a modicum of evidence that conducting surveys with persons with intellectual disabilities supported by caregivers 16 or with proxy respondents 17 can provide accurate physical activity data. One of the studies included in this review used systematic observation of physical activity behaviours, 18 which is certainly an adequate approach in terms of validity and reliability, 19 however it is very labour intensive and less suitable for larger studies.…”

Cardiovascular disease prevalence and risk factors of persons with mental retardation

“…Draheim et al [2002cDraheim et al [ , 2003 and Stanish and Draheim [2005] indicated low to moderate intensity activities where highly reported. The preference of lower intensity activities is supported by the high participation in optional, lower intensity (moderate) physical activity programs by adults with MR [Stanish et al, 2001]. Stanish and Draheim [2005] concluded that adults with MR may find less intense activities more enjoyable compared to activities that require a high level of physical stamina.…”

Gait and Balance

“…Adults with ID may find less intense activities more enjoyable compared to activities that require a high level of physical stamina (Stanish and Draheim 2005). Hence, in this population low-to-moderate intensity activities are often reported (Draheim et al 2003;Stanish and Draheim 2005) and rates of optional participation in low-to-moderate physical activity programs are high (Stanish et al 2001). In any case, exercises implemented should be enjoyable and should include motivational strategies to ensure long-term participation.…”